MARGATE have sacked manager Chris Kinnear and assistant manager Kevin Raine following Tuesday night's match against Windsor & Eton.

The 1-1 draw at Hartsdown Park ended a run of four successive defeats.

The decision brings to an end Kinnear's 10-year association with the club, and comes a year after supporters launched a campaign to keep him at the club after he had been linked with moves elsewhere.

A statement on the club website said: "At a specially convened meeting held after the Windsor & Eton game on Tuesday night the club directors informed Chris Kinnear and assistant manager Kevin Raine that they have both been suspended from their duties with immediate effect.

"The decision taken reflects the run of poor results since Christmas and the club's unacceptable position at the bottom of the Ryman Premier League this season.

"The directors acknowledge the huge vote of thanks due to Chris Kinnear for the success over the last decade and Chris will go down as the club's most successful manager in recent history."

The club say they will appoint a caretaker manager and advertise the vacancy immediately.

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Fans bid to reinstate Kinnear